Vital Involvement in Old Age [Paperback]

Erik H. Erikson (Author), Joan M. Erikson (Author), Helen Q. Kivnick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 17, 1994

Erikson's now-famous concept of the life cycle delineates eight stages of psychological development through which each of us progresses.

The last stage, old age, challenges the individual to rework the past while remaining involved in the present. The authors begin this work with their theory of life's stages through old age. In Part two, they discuss their interviews with twenty-nine octogenarians, on whom life history data has been collected for over fifty years. Part three is a discussion of the life history of the protagonist in Ingmar Bergman's film Wild Strawberries. In Part four, "Old age in our society", the authors offer suggestions for "vital involvement." Erik H. Erikson is winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This addition to the literature on aging focuses on the need for the elderly to remain vitally involved in the present. In the first chapter Erikson outlines his now famous theory of the eight-stage life cycle. Chapter two consists of often repetitious reflections on the results of interviews with 29 octogenarians from the Berkeley, California area. The third chapter is a reworking of a previously published essay exploring the life history of the protagonist depicted in Bergman's film classic Wild Strawberries. The concluding chapter discusses some of the issues associated with old age in the United States. The book will interest those who wish to learn how Erikson's psychosocial themes relate to the last stage of life. Robin B. Devin, Univ. of Rhode Island Lib., Kingston
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

A winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, Erik H. Erikson was renowned worldwide as teacher, clinician, and theorist in the field of psychoanalysis and human development.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (December 17, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039331216X
• ISBN-13: 978-0393312164
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #547,808 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars like life- bits and pieces, August 25, 2006

By 

Walter G. Fitzsimons - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vital Involvement in Old Age (Paperback)

This is a fascinating combination of two aged giants in developmental theory, Joan and Erik Erikson, together (as is fitting with the aged authors) a geronotologist. Like old age, it is a combination of memories of more solid, middle aged times and theories, and loose ends of current life. The stories from Berkeley seniors seems to be planted with a history- much like our lives as old people are current harvest of today and much filled memories. I found it surprizing that like my old life, new accomodations are found. In particular, the number of people interacting with dead spouses I found a welcome secret.
We can keep our old firm 50s era "science" and certainty, as yet combine with our aged experience and whimsy.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars too heavy, February 26, 2008

By 

Duckman (Marlboro, MA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vital Involvement in Old Age (Paperback)

This book was recommended by a doctor friend of mine as one of the famous self help novels. But after I started to read it, it appeared to be too heavy reading for my liking. This reading maybe more suited for a 3rd year college reading text instead of light reading.